Effyh 500

Swedish-made Formula III racer getting a push start. Driver is Tip Blume.

Very popular in the U.K. And Europe, Formula III was never embraced here in the US. The most common and successful cars were Coopers. Only 6-10 Effyhs were imported to the US. 

Powered by 500cc JAP or Norton engines, these cars are still popular in the U.K. In vintage events.

Remembering HOOP

Artist, "Art Car" designer, Mini/microcar aficionado, and co-editor of this blog -- Steve "HOOP" Hooper passed away on September 22, 2011 after a battle with cancer.

Hoop was a person you couldn't miss, overlook, or forget. His art will be remembered -- and some of it will continue driving around.

His last interview, for AOL Auto News, can be seen at:
Artist Behind Coolest Car Sculptures Ever Faces Life's Greatest Challenge

And, to see some of his work, go to Hoop's website:
HOOPMOBILES from the mind of HOOP

He will be missed.

Three Berkeleys Charge up Kop Hill

Check out this video of three Berkeleys taking their runs up Kop Hill. It's a "non-competitive" hillclimb, but they seem to be making a run of it. (It's great to see the reactions of the crowd.)

Microcar im Schnee mit Stadtpelz

I'll have to admit, I don't know where I got this image -- but, it's pretty cool. (Actually, it's pretty cold, judging by the man in the Stadtpelz.)
This is a signed photo -- printed from the negative to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the car.

Can you tell me what the car is and where it's from?

Getting Around - Italian Style

Bumped into this little Fiat wagon on a street corner in Rome.

The streets are full of Fiat 500's -- mostly the new ones, but the old models are still around in pretty good numbers. The streets of Rome are made for small cars -- no room, no rules, and no parking. I don't understand how the bigger cars can get around.

1957 St. Simons Cup

Not sure exactly where this one came from, but there is a small trophy that's been collecting dust in my office for the past few years.

On the bottom of its plastic (or maybe it's Bakelite) base is the name of the maker -- "Trophies for Champions, by F.N. Noble & Company, Chicago, No. 62".

But, the more interesting information is on the small brass plaque. It is inscribed, "1957 St. Simons Cup, Second H Modified".

Can anyone out there tell me where this race was run?

Better yet...tell me who came in second.

The "Big" DKW

The DKW 3=6 is often described as the big DKW. (Der grosse DKW) It claims room for six, with space for luggage -- all powered by a 2-stroke, 3-cylinder, 891cc engine. (A straight three.)

The car, manufactured from 1953 to 1959 went by many names. It was the DKW 3=6, the DKW Sonderklasse, the DKW F91, and the DKW 900.

One would assume the 3=6 is in reference to the 3-cylinder car with seating for six. But, according to the Audi history site, "Three equals six! This simple mathematical equation greatly impressed the public. A three-cylinder two-stroke engine, since it has twice as many working strokes as a four-stroke engine, therefore benefits from a power flow as smooth as a six-cylinder four stroke."